Man City experiencing injury crisis, according to Guardiola

Posted : 01 November 2024

Pep Guardiola has highlighted an "emergency" situation at Manchester City due to an overwhelming injury list as the team prepares for their match against Bournemouth on Saturday. The club has been severely impacted, with six first-team players unavailable for the League Cup tie against Tottenham on Wednesday. Among those sidelined are key players such as Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, and Jack Grealish.

The situation worsened during the Tottenham match when defender Manuel Akanji sustained a calf injury during warm-ups. Additionally, forward Savinho had to be carried off on a stretcher after suffering what looked like a severe ankle injury in the second half. Following the 2-1 defeat, Guardiola expressed his frustration, noting that he could only field 13 senior players, forcing him to rely on several academy graduates to complete the squad.

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In his pre-match press conference, Guardiola acknowledged the injury crisis but urged his team not to dwell on their misfortunes. "We have a lot of injuries in specific areas, but it is what it is," he stated. The manager emphasized the need for resilience, advising his players to focus on the upcoming challenges rather than feeling sorry for themselves.

Guardiola also confirmed that the injury crisis has necessitated the inclusion of academy players in the squad. "We are using them because we are in an emergency in certain positions," he explained. However, he expressed confidence in their abilities, noting that these young talents have proven themselves in the past and are expected to contribute during this challenging time.

Despite the long list of absentees, Guardiola indicated that he is not inclined to make emergency signings during the January transfer window. He believes that by then, he might have most of his players fit again, except for long-term injury victim Rodri. "When we are all together, the squad is enough," he reassured, underscoring his belief in the team's potential when fully fit.

In a lighter moment, Guardiola welcomed Sporting Lisbon’s manager, Ruben Amorim, who has been named Manchester United's new coach. He expressed his congratulations, playfully noting that they would face each other again next Tuesday when City takes on Sporting in the Champions League.

As City heads into the weekend, all eyes will be on how the team adapts to these pressing circumstances, with hopes that their younger players can step up and help maintain their position at the top of the Premier League standings.

Man City experiencing injury crisis, according to Guardiola

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